AN EXPLOSION OF GAS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 957, 4 July 1890, Page 19

AN EXPLOSION OF GAS.

DAMAGE TO THE COLONIAL BANK. NARROW ESCAPES. The residents and frequenters of that portion of Lambtou quay, near the Atheereum, were considerably startled on Wednesday n : ght by an explosion of gas, which took place in tho building occupied by the Colonial Ban k. It appears that during the evening Mr John McLeilan, the accountant, and Mr C. W. Cato, the assistant accountant, returned to work, and at about 8.40 a smell of gas wa3 noticed proceeding from the strong room. Mr McLeilan told his companion to be cautious in not striking a light, Mr Cato opened the door of the strong room and allowed, as he thQqght, the greater part of the gas to esoape ; when he considered it safe he struck a match to light one of the gas jets, when a. sadden exp osion took place. Both gentlemen were considerably scorched i i their faces, but beyond that were not seriously hurt. The explosion was of a powerful nature. To give some idea of its effect, it may be stated that the stroDg - room is at the far end of the main office from the street entrance, and the force of the explosion was so great that the thick outer doors leading-into the street, some 2£ inches in thickness and 10 or 11 feet in height, weighing upwards of three hundredweight. and distant some 60 feet from the strong room, were blown completely off tbeir hinges, and flung into the load way. At the left of the street entrance is situates the waiting and the man igm’s (Mr Reid) rooms ; each of ro ,ms had d- ors leading into the main offi e. whioh were at the time open. The explosive gas be w thethiee windows in these two rooms in;o atoms, uot even a vestige of the window sashes remaining. The glass, which is of a thick plate quality, was scattered across the roadway, &nd pieces were even picked up in Hunter street. Tbe wire and Venetian ni.iidi of the windows were twisted and torn ifi ii.f&n'astie shapes. Fortunately the street in front of the Colonial Bank was for a great wonder almost clear of traffic at the time. Countable Foley, who was off duty, was passing with Mr Thomas Keegan ( faraway inspector), and (jnnstabie Murphy was clone by. A man named William Watson was near the main entrance when the doors were blown out, and he states that a portion of one of tho doors struck him a violent blow in his back. As quickly as possible Constable Murphy entered the bank, and found that the papers in the strong room were on fire. Messrs McLeilan and Cato told-tho constable whore the fire buckets were placed, and he at once, with the assistance of the two bank officials, put all danger at an end. Dr Collins was sent for to attend the sufferers,

and he ordered Mr Cato to proceed home at once. Mr MoLellsns injuries were also a'tsnded to.

Tha cause of the mishap occurred iu the strong-room, which is divided into two parts by means of an iron grille. Iu the inner portion a gas pendant was in a bad condition, and had evidently been leaking for some time, and when a lighted match was introduced the violent explosion took place. Very little damage is done to the strong room, save the scorching of the out. side of the bundles of papers and book and their soakiug, consequent on the water used. The interior of the main office is not damaged beyond the breaking of several windows at the far end. The explosion betrayed soma peculiar effects. Iu the manager’s room the hearthrug was neatly lifted up affd doubled in two, the windows were completely destroyed, but none of the loose papers on the table had been disturbed. The inner half - glass doors facing the main entrance had the glass shattered, but as the doors were not secured, swinging loosely, they gave way to the pressure of tho ga3. Mr James Lockie, tha well-kucvvn contractor, had a narrow escape. He was passing at the time, and one of the front doors fell with great force within a few inches of his body. The shower of glass from the windows was hurled iu all directions, hut fortunately no one was struck.

The building ia insured, we are informed, for £6OOO in the South British and Standard offices, but the amount of damage is not yet ascertained. A large body of police were quickly on the spot, and, iu conjunction with the Fire Brigade, kept intruders at a safe distance. Mr J. E. Hayes, the plumber, was early oa the scene, and took prompt steps to prevent any further leakage of the gis.

Mr E. Pearce, a well-known boot dealer of Cuba street, has taken over tho premises next door to the bank, lately occupied by Mr Flyger, tailor, and he informs us that he has noticed a smell of escaped ga3 since Sunday. He had all his gaspipes overhauled, but could find no leakage, and he concludes the smell must have come from the bank premises. The sound of the oxplosion was hoard for a considerable distance and caused much alarm. The (ire-bells rang, and the brigade were soon on the spot, but all danger was passed before they arrived.